Elijah Limo Takes First, Men and Women Finish Second at Cyclone OpenerElijah Limo Takes First, Men and Women Finish Second at Cyclone Opener
Cross Country

Elijah Limo Takes First, Men and Women Finish Second at Cyclone Opener

Monica Wanjiku paces women for her top collegiate cross country finish.

AMES, Iowa - Mizzou cross country saw its men’s and women’s teams open the 2026 campaign with a pair of second-place finishes at the Cyclone Opener on Friday morning, highlighted by Elijah Limo taking first in 18:05.2 at the Iowa State Cross Country Course.

Limo’s result marked his first collegiate win. The women were paced by Monica Wanjiku, who placed second in the women’s 5k in 16:22.5.

The men brought home a one-two finish with Limo and Raymond Kipoech, who finished in 18:10.6. Tyler Freiner brought home a third top-10 finish for MU to begin his senior season, taking in the sixth slot with 18:46.1. The Tigers scored 42 points to clinch the second spot, beating out Drake (82), Iowa State (88) and Nebraska (121) rounding out the top five. Minnesota took the team win with 37 points.

Monica Wanjiku brought home a second-place finish for the women's with a 16:22.5, her fifth top-12 individual placing. She was followed by Kobi Walker (16:28.9) in third and Suzy Lecoutre (16:36.0) finishing fourth, with both posting personal bests in the 5k.

TOP TIGERS

  • Mirriam Chepkirui earned her first top-10 with a ninth-place finish in 17:17.5.
  • Charlotte Cullen notched her second top-20 result with a time of 17:51.3.
  • Carter Spradling posted an 18:46.1, notching his second top-20 finish.
  • With the second-place finishes from the men and women, both programs have finished third or better in their season-opening meet in each of the last five seasons.

    WOMEN'S 5k RESULTS - 2nd Place (34 points, 2-3-4-9-16)

2nd - Monica Wanjiku, 16:22.5 // 3rd - Kobi Walker, 16:28.9 // 4th - Suzy Lecoutre, 16:36.0 // 9th  - Mirriam Chepkirui, 17:17.5 // 20th - Charlotte Cullen, 17:51.3 // 23rd - Maleah Eggers, 18:06.5 // 35th - Natalie Barnard, 18:31.2 // 42nd - Elissa Barnard, 18:47.6

MEN'S 6k RESULTS - 2nd Place (42 points, 1-2-6-16-17)
1st - Elijah Limo, 18:05.2 // 2nd - Raymond Kipkoech, 18:10.6 // 6th - Tyler Freiner, 18:24.4 // 15th - Carter Spradling, 18:46.1 // 16th - Joshua Allison, 18:48.2 // 19th - Joseph Bariola, 18:55.6 // 35th - Ethan Lee, 19:24.5

UP NEXT
Mizzou returns to the Show-Me State as it visits Saint Louis’ Quail Creek Golf Club for the Billiken XC Invite on Friday, September 18.